A paper from Austrian scientists in the Lancet for September 18 presents fascinating ideas on the subject of ancient tattooing practices. Well preserved tattoos have been found on the skin of mummies from Siberia, Peru and Chile, and most have been assumed to represent decoration for social or religious purposes. Some, however, lack aesthetic value and may have been made with other intentions. Thus, the famous ice man from the Tyrolese glacier shows some 15 groups of tattoo punctures on back and legs, of simple geometric design and not in situations where they would be very evident.
The observation that some of the tattoo locations on the ice man approximate to classical acupuncture points suggested that they might represent some medical purpose. Acupuncture, it is known, has been practised in central Europe for some 5,000 years. Measurements were made, relating the locations of the tattoos to traditional acupuncture sites used in China. Nine of the ice man's tattoos were on or within 6mm of a traditional acupuncture location.
Histological examination of the tattoos showed that the colouring agent was rounded particles of a pigment, possibly of charcoal. The tattoos were probably produced by incising the skin and then burning a herbal powder on the wound, the process known in antiquity as moxibustion. It is suggested that the ice man may have been treated for the pain of arthrosis, and also possibly for a painful abdominal disorder attributable to trichuris infection.